California Law

California’s Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act(as amended) requires mattress manufacturers to create a statewide recycling program for mattresses and box springs discarded in the state. CalRecycle has certified MRC to develop and administer the program known as Bye Bye Mattress. MRC funds its California activities through a $10.50 per unit recycling fee collected from consumers when they buy a mattress or box spring.

How to Recycle

Businesses and other entities that have used mattresses (such as hotels, universities, hospitals, solid waste facilities, etc.) may drop off discarded mattresses and box springs for recycling at an MRC-contracted recycler at no cost.

Residents of California may drop off discarded mattresses and box springs at a recycling facility, collection point or collection event. Residents that drop off units at a recycling facility will receive a $3 incentive for each unit they drop off (up to 5 units per day). Other limitations may apply to units dropped off at other collection points or collection events. MRC recommends contacting the location prior to drop-off.

Legal Obligations for Mattress Industry

Obligations vary depending on what role a company plays in the manufacturing, distribution, sale or renovation of mattresses and box springs. Businesses not complying with the law can be prohibited from selling their products in California and face financial penalties.

RETAILERS

If you sell mattresses and box springs for use in California, register with MRC via MRCreporting.org.

Collect the recycling fee on each sale and remit the fee to MRC monthly.

Offer no-charge take-back of your customer’s used mattress and/or box spring when you deliver the sold mattress and/or box spring (unless you use a common carrier for delivery).

Monitor CalRecycle’s site for registered manufacturers and brands. You must not sell mattresses or box springs offered by unregistered manufacturers.

If you offer mattresses and box springs for sale in California, register with MRC via MRCreporting.org and identify your Brands/URNs.

Collect the fee when you sell mattresses and box springs directly to consumers or to contract purchasers (such as hotels, universities, etc.) that will use the products in California and remit the fee to MRC monthly.

California Need-to-Know News

California Mattress Recycling Fee Change Approved

California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved that California’s mattress recycling fee (also known as the recycling charge) be reduced to $10.50 per mattress and foundation, effective January 1, 2018.

MRC will be notifying the mattress industry via MRCreporting.org and certified mail. It’s also preparing updated customer education materials. To stay informed, please sign up for Program Updates and keep your company’s primary and alternate contact information current in MRCreporting.org.

For more information, please see our FAQs or contact us at 855-229-1691.

California Determined Sales Tax Is Not Applicable

California Program Public Documents

2016 Annual Report

MRC submitted the 2016 Annual Report to CalRecycle on June 30, 2017. After CalRecycle staff reviewed and requested revisions, MRC resubmitted on Oct. 23, 2017. This report summarizes the first year of MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress Program operations in the state. Read the 2016 Annual Report here.

MRC will provide storage containers/trailers, transport the collected mattresses and box springs to the recycler and recycle those units at no cost to the collection site or event host. MRC will also provide reasonable compensation. If your facility is interested in participating, please fill out the form below.

Who to Contact

Resources

To help mattress retailers, municipalities, hotels, universities, healthcare facilities and other qualified parties understand how they may recycle discarded mattresses and box springs – MRC has developed factsheets, guidelines, videos and more.

Sign Up for California Program Updates

Whether you’re a retailer following the program’s implementation, a solid waste facility manager interested in getting involved, or a policy maker who wants to stay updated on mattress recycling news, simply enter your information in the form below and we’ll be sure to keep you in the loop.

About Mattress Recycling Council

Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is a non-profit organization created by the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) to develop and implement statewide mattress recycling programs for states that have enacted mattress recycling laws. We currently provide resources, education and support for programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island.